Incat Crowther announced earlier today the delivery of the vessel Ultramar, a high capacity 48m Catamaran Passenger Ferry for the Mexican operator Ultramar.

Built by Midship Marine in Louisiana, Ultramar is specifically designed for the operator’s busy Playa de Carmen – Cozumel run, offering high capacity, high durability and a world-class passenger experience.

Carrying 844 passengers on a relatively short run, turnaround is paramount. Ultramar is optimized for a very fast turnaround with multiple boarding areas over two decks. A pair of boarding ramps is located on the mid and main decks at amidships for passenger loading, whilst an additional pair aft gives direct access to the cargo room. This cost effective system has been well proven on other Incat Crowther vessels where efficient turnaround of high passenger and cargo volumes has been a requirement.

The main deck aft cabin seats 211 passengers, whilst the forward end of the vessel’s main deck features a premium class area with 64 seats. The foredeck seats 50 passengers.

The mid deck seats 203 outside and 52 inside. There is a stage at the forward end of the outdoor seating area on this deck for musicians to entertain passengers. Above, the roof deck seats 264 passengers.

From the moment passengers board Ultramar, the emphasis on detail and passenger experience is evident. Large staircases move passengers comfortably and efficiently through the vessel and large communal spaces give a feeling of openness which belies the capacity of the vessel. Continuing Ultramar’s commitment to an innovative fleet, large panoramic windows are complemented by high-tech lighting and high-end finishes. Painted in Ultramar’s distinctive yellow and blue livery, the vessel is set off by the operator’s signature underwater LED lighting and its remarkable level of fit-out.As a consequence, the operator’s market share has jumped to almost 70% despite two other operators on the same run. A second vessel is under construction and is due later this year.

Ultramar is powered by a pair of Yanmar 12AYM-WGT main engines, each producing 1340kW at 1940rpm, offering an efficient service speed of 18 knots, and a maximum speed of 24 knots.

Ultramar is the fourth vessel delivered to the operator to an Incat Crowther design. Construction of a sister ship is well progressed at Midship Marine, together with eight lower capacity low wash vessels for the same operator.